Kirjahaku

Twenty-three mathematical masterpieces for exploration and enlightenment“A mind-broadening experience.”—Paul J. Campbell, Mathematics Magazine How can a shape have more than one dimension but fewer than two? What is the best way to elect public officials when more than two candidates are vying for the office? Is it possible for a highly accurate medical test to give mostly incorrect results? Can you tile your floor with regular pentagons? How can you use only the first digit of sales numbers to determine if your accountant is lying? Can mathematics give insights into free will? Edward Scheinerman, an accomplished mathematician and enthusiastic educator, answers all these questions and more in this book, a collection of mathematical masterworks. In bite-sized chapters that require only high school algebra, he invites readers to try their hands at solving mathematical puzzles and provides an engaging and friendly tour of numbers, shapes, and uncertainty. The result is an unforgettable introduction to the fundamentals and pleasures of thinking mathematically.

An exact answer to a mathematical problem is usually the best answer but sometimes an exact answer is either unobtainable or unhelpful (or both). In that case, an approximation is the likely best choice. This book shows how to create and work with rigorous approximations using the notation and logic of asymptotics. Asymptotic approximations are important throughout mathematics and computer science. This book can be used as a supplementary text for a college course or for individual self-study.In addition to a solid introduction to asymptotic notation, methods, and formulas, we provide an extensive suite of exercises (with complete solutions) to ensure mastery.